MW

Keep the primes. Select each one and spend an extended weekend with it where it is the only lens you have. Find ways to get photos with and see what results you get.

Sell all the telephoto zooms and use the money toward a 70-200 f2.8. If you can't afford j version (new or used) go for Tamron's.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

never sell glass.
Bodies come and go, glass is forever
buy a back up body

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Been there. Done that. A few years ago, I would read about a lens, or see a good deal on one, and I thought I had to have it. Now I have my collection pared down to just what I really do need. You're smart to be looking at your collection and deciding what to unload. Ebay can bring in some money for you.

I'm going to take the opposite tack. I would eventually add a good macro (Nikon Micro), maybe the Nikon 105mm, a fisheye, and a wide angle zoom.

If you go to DxO.com, you can do lens comparisons with the camera body of your choice. In reading the results, the longer the blue line, the better.

Nikonhermit Loc: In This Place

One of the guiding principles of Our Religion is that we NEVER dump a lens. The faithful only buy; they never sell.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

Sell them all except the two Sigmas (sell me the 85mm 1.4, lol!) and purchase a 70-200mm 2,8 from Sigma or Nikon. Definitely buy the 50mm 1.4 from the guy. In most cases you won't see much difference over the 1.8, that is until you shoot in low light, like a high school basketball game.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I agree. Listen to this very logical member.
When I read your original question, my head started to spin in empathy for you.
If I were you, I would decide on one or two types of subjects you like to photograph most and then choose the 2-3 lenses you already own that fit the bill for what you do. If you give us more info along those lines, your fellow members will be able to give you better advice.
IMO, you will be much happier and a better photographer for it.

h1h1d4mje

Dump the kit lenses. Work with the others and see what they do for you and what you like.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

How much might you want for the Sigma 70-300mm D 4-5.6 Manual Lens on my D3200, but has Macro?

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I have the 50 1.4.. while performance is not noticeably better than the 1.8, the Bokeh is. The 1.4 Nikkor is "supposed" to be one of Nikons best... I have one I use on the D7100 as a portrait lens and I love it... worth giving up a 1.8 for? don't know, that is a decision you have to make.. or keep both... lol

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Where did you post them.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Not sure why you have both the 18-55 and the 18-70, and the 55-200 and the 55-300.

If you just want a single lens that covers that, get the 18-300.

I would keep the primes. Especially the 85.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

I agree with Jerry...macro 105mm and fisheye are great fun. I'd sell the extras that basically cover what you already have (except primes), add a camera body and maybe an 80-400mm which is one of my favorites.

ddonlewis

All of us who have been in the hobby for a while have a lens graveyard that we have accumulated over the years. The reason we get confused is that we listen to others who have there own preferences. First consider how you personally like to shoot, and then look at your inventory. Some are prime shooters. Others are the one lens 18-300mm shooters. I fell into the same trap and bought lots of primes in addition to my zooms. Result for me is that I never use the 24/28, 50, 85, 185 and 300. I basically for my type of photography use the 18-55/70 for 90% of my shooting, and the 70-200 for the rest. By the way, the quality of the 2 lens combo will beat the all in one zooms every time. So examine how you prefer to shoot and don't worry about what others are doing.

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

It will not be much different than the 35mm DX 1.8 you already have.

Kuzano

As a general rule of thumb. I discount the first f-stop on any prime below f1.7 or f1.8, just on the hit taken on price. Most lenses move into their "sharp" zone about 2-3 stops in.

Therefore, the craziness that involves paying more for fast lens primes escapes me. Now, admittedly there are exceptions, but I would generally not pay the "tarrif" that goes with fast apertures, unless everything I shot was dependent on rendering out of focus highlights outside of a very shallow plane of focus.

I vote no on the 1.4 lens, for personal use. I might however, in a case of sheer desparate take advantage of a person in distress and then "flip" the lens for a sale to the "crazies" that pay more for another 1/3 f stop, as in this case.

Wow, can you carry all those lenses in the bag on every outing.

I suffered Lens GAS like this, but having so many choices actually detracts from my photography, or has in the past. I'm not a CaNikon shooter any more, but I will tell you what I would do... VERY FIRST THING!!!

I am going to bring up Ken Rockwell here, so KR haters can now leave the room. You know who you are.

I would find Ken's review page on every one of those Nikon lenses you now own. I would print them out and go through them. (If your lenses were Canon, I would do the same thing).

Now many people do not like Ken's style. I happen to find it refreshing. But the best part is if a lens is CRAP, Ken will say so.

I have saved a lot of money using Ken's reviews. In fact one of the best, sharpest short Zooms that I have owned a half dozen of, came from a Ken Rockwell review. You can buy it repeatedly on eBay in good condition from $50 to $75.

It's a G lens, or as Ken says "gelded".. no aperture ring. It's from the film Nikon N series camera's. It's a 28-80 f3.3 up lens and sharp AF on all Nikon bodies with focus motors in them.

I point this lens out, because I learned about it on Ken's site and have been happy with each example I purchased. OTOH, I have seen Ken "blow out" a number of Nikon and Canon lenses as simply not acceptable.

That's what I would do. You will waste a lot more of your time listening to less than objective reviews on this site for all those lenses and others you may consider.

Do yourself a favor and see how Ken feels about your current inventory lens by lens.